During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs discuss the progress Moldova has made and the political situation in the run up to the elections next month with Stefan FÜLE, European Commissioner for Enlargement.

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

EU - Moldova (T)

MACOVEI, Monica (ECR, RO)

TANNOCK, Timothy Charles Ayrton (ECR, UK)

FÜLE, Štefan (EC)

WATSON, Graham (ALDE, UK, Sir)

SEVERIN, Adrian (NI, RO)

Reforms and developments in the Republic of Moldova: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), &#352;tefan F&#220;LE, European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, ( on the tasks after the Moldovan elections) Thereafter all political forces will have to work together, both to elect a president and to choose a government capable of taking the country through a critical reform of path. At the same time we will sustain our unwavering support to the structural reforms conducted by the Moldovan government.

SOUNDBITE (English), &#352;tefan F&#220;LE, European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, Next year we will start implementing the comprehensive institution building programme under the Eastern Partnership. That programme will help Moldova to prepare for and implement the Association agreement that we are currently negotiating, the latest round of negotiation, which had been on the 13th and 14th October demonstrated yet again that these negotiation progress at very good speed.

SOUNDBITE (English), &#352;tefan F&#220;LE, European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, We effectively followed up on the visa dialogue launched in June. On the next Monday drawing on the outcome of the fact finding mission conducted in September by independent experts, the Foreign Affairs Council is expected to realise conclusion that should address this issues. 

SOUNDBITE (Romanian), Monica MACOVEI (EPP, RO), In September the Moldovan Parliament ratified the Statute of the International Court of Justice and the Association agreement has also been negotiated and the results are very good, but what guarantees do we have that all of this will continue? Moldova has made more progress than any of the other countries in the Eastern Partnership and that is why it should be singled out for special treatment, because of this progress. It has made a lot of efforts and they should be rewarded.

SOUNDBITE (Romanian), Monica MACOVEI (EPP, RO), As regards the debate on Visas Moldova has made progress in all 4 areas, so we call upon the COM to develop a plan of action by October to enable Moldova to enjoy a visa free regime.

SOUNDBITE (English), Adrian SEVERIN (S&amp;D, RO), Moldova's development has so far been negatively influenced by its internal instability. The fundamental problem of the Republic Moldova is not linked to external challenges it faces, but to the internal division among the political forces. The internal political instability denied the ruling coalition, the time to implement its pro-EU options. Moldova faces now a turning point, the outcome of this early elections should aim at leading the country towards the future of EU modernisation, therefore we call upon all political forces in Moldova, which propose a future of EU modernisation to the country to avoid any unnecessary protagonist and confrontation and to concentrate on developing a broad vision with the aim of directing the country towards the country in achieving its EU goals.

SOUNDBITE (English), Graham WATSON (ALDE, UK), There is still much progress to be made not least in bringing to justice the perpetrators of these brutal events, but if Moldova returns to offers the current coalition in the election next month, there is a good chance that despite the difficulties of the economic recession that country can complete its transformation.

SOUNDBITE (English), Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK), I also like to raise the issue Euronest (Euronest Parliamentary Assembly) which offers opportunities for EU and Moldovan politicians alike to debate common interest. Sadly Euronest which something which appeared in my report in the previous Parliament remains paralysed, because over the dispute of the Belarus representation, as our Parliament does not recognize its Parliament, which not democratically elected. But I do hope that one day all clearly European countries in the Eastern Partnership, namely Moldova, Ukraine and future democratic Belarus will become EU candidates.